Fin Feather & Beard Collectors

A Day in the Feild "Nusance Phesant Hunt"

2011-12-14T18:53:00.000-08:00

Clem & Cole with Cole's First Cock Phesant

Haim,Cole & Clem

We had a Good Day,in the feild !

One Happy Dog !

Fly The Alley 2011

2011-11-13T20:42:00.000-08:00

April Vokey,Selling her Rhea aka "Steelhead Ticklers" @ Fly The Alley,@ Geneva On The Lake Lodge 11/12/11

Greg Senyo from SAO had a FULL house,for his tying Seminar @ Fly The Alley Expo

Greg @ the Tying Bench on Saturday

April doing her tying seminar,early afternoon

Classy Gals ! after Aprils tying seminar,she spent another 45 Minutes +,giving one on one lessons to this youg lady !

Will Turek,from Midwest Spey @ The Casting Pond,Giving Casting Instructions

Jason @ the SAO Booth

April & Mike maninning the booths, Mike,aka "Big Sexy"did you smell the mens bathroom ? It smells awesome,today !

Brian's New Boot,signed by Ape,he did catch Steel on Sunday & he is considering a trip to BC..........to fish with April......soon !

DAS Boot !

Brian & Tim,with some of his first taste of PA Steel

Tim with a nice Buck

Head Shot

more PA Steel,with my New stick !

Good bye.Till next time Haim aka Joel B

Indiania on the Fly Clergy Style

2011-11-08T07:14:00.000-08:00

Erie Steel Late October 2011

2011-10-25T21:12:00.001-07:00

Fishing was GOOD,this weekend on Elk Crick,in NW PA !

Tina was all about "Happy" with her 1st BIG Steelhead,and I was,glad to share the momement ! She wanted to run down stream to her Boyfriend Mike,to show
him the picture & say i did it on my own ! I urged her to "Fish On",you can Brag it up all the way home.........this was the first of quite a few for her,on Sunday,she's in the runnin' for PA Fly-Gal.

Greg with a PIG of a Steelhead,from early this week.

Its all about the Smile !

Mike & Tina with another one

Your # 1

Until next time "Coach" Jb

KENAI River "The Caynon Float" 2011 Alaska

2011-09-02T23:01:00.000-07:00

We got stranded in Alaska a few days due to Irene. Not to bad,and we got to fish
the Kenai River,with Guide Dennis Randa & his Salmon Retreiver Chip,a good day was had by all,from Jim's Landing to Skilak Lake
We did the Canyon Float,pictures posted below.

Mark with # 1 big Bow from the Canyon

Upper Kenai Rivers's 1st Gate

Upper Kenai Dolly

A pair of nice Dollys from the Kenai

Dennis Randa,our guide,35 years on The Kenai

More Dollies

Chip with a Red Salmon

Who needs a net when you have a retreiver ?

Chip,the Sockeye Retreiver

Don't Drink & Row

Skilak Lake

Front veiw of Dennis's Boat

Momma Bear & Cub,fishing across the river

When the above bears decide to cross the river,the

current was to storng for baby bear

Nice Rainbow # 2 for Mark

Rainbow # 3,on the day

The Kenai gave up quite a few good Dollies this day

ALASKA 2011 Bristol Bay

2011-09-02T03:38:00.000-07:00

John & Coach Mike,on The Ugashik Narrows

Another great week was had for me & some Old freinds & More new ones as we made our annual journey to Bristol bays Naknek River Camp,in late August.

The fishing was outstanding & the comradarie was 2nd to none !

Thanks to Phyills,Jim & their staff for anoher great Alaskan Adventure !

the guides are keen & dailed in on the fish,& the food & acommations are tops !

Plane ride to Ugashik,I waited 2 years for this ride ! And it was well worth it,as

many a fish where fooled ! I plan to hit the Ugashik again........soon

Myself ,Barry & & Alex with a good Char @ Ugashik

Silver @ King Salmon Creek,last day of our trip,to Bristol Bay & NRC,Miles had us the fish !

Artic Char caught by Coach Maik,on our ugashik journey.

Big Sexy with a good bow,from the Naknek River

The Rainbow fishing was excellent,again this year & the Egg Drop was just getting

into full swing,when we left. I had 3 great days on The Naknek,with guides,Jon,Steve & Kyle,as I honed my skilles & learned new ones,on these magnificent Toad Bows,of the Naknek River.

Marks 30" + Rainbow from The Naknek River 30" was a 3o minute fight for Mark,Toad Rainbow # 3,for us that day.

I got in on the Big Bows this day with Kyle,Toad 1 of three,for the day.

Daves Big bow from the Naknek,Toad # 2 of our day with Kyle

Another decent bow,from our 3 Toad day !

My first good Bow of the trip,with Jon K

Bernie with his first Grayling,with Jon K,on the Naknek

Mark Found silver on the KS Creek

The Infamous Boga Stealing Silver,my last fish of my Bristol Bay journey

Silver Buck from KS Creek,thankin Mr Squidly & Miles !

Naknek River Silver Salmon

Fly Me Out Alex,our guide @ Ugashik,got in on the action,when Mark to a break

Luck was with me but the Grande Char evaded me,this day.........# of fish was outstanding,but the Grade evade me.........until next year ?

Mark's Grande Char,for the day,on Ugashik

Coach Mikes,Trophy Char 30" +

My first ever Chum Salmon,from the Ugashik River

Our ride to Ugashik,it took me 2 years to make this trip & it was worth it !

Patrick with some KS Creek Silver,on the swing,last day

Ugashik veiw from the river

Naknek River Camp Sunset

Greg with a Nice Char

Naknek River Silver

Taking a break from Silver fishing (L to R)

Jon,Coach Mike & Barry

Miles taking a shot of Katies,nice Rainbow

Fishermans Cabin,on The Naknek

Naknek River Regulations,Sign,below Naknek Lake

Hopefully the Steelhead will be with us.........soon !

Jb JAG Fly Co / SAO

ALASKA > Bound...Buggers & Beads !

2011-08-08T17:41:00.000-07:00

4 Silvers caught & relessed,in a 1o minute span
our Netboy was busy !

Buggers & Beads,IMHO,ya can't leave home with-out them,if traveling
to Bristol Bay Alaska. Though may flies will work,buggers & beads
have been the workhorse of my boxs,the last 2 years. Looking forward
to my return.............in the near future ! Just wanted to share a few of
the Great moments we've had the last few years in Bristol Bay

The Clifton,Black/Purple # 8,a good Coho Fly

Moltted Beads,a must for Bristol Bay

Flesh Flies,Eggs,Maggots & Wolly Buggers

A bead box,differet colors to match the hatch

Wolly Buggers,ya just gotta have them,in your box

Black,Olive & Pruple have been the most protuctive

the last 2 years

Coho Blue worked well for me on Silvers,on bright sunny days

Try some Dolly Llamas for Big Rainbow's

Olive/White & Olive/Black for Bows

Purple/Pink for Silvers

Black & Olive Articulating Leeches,are a good

choice while on the Naknek

Sculpins of many variations,of them work very

well for Rainbows,big or small water

The Circus has Dancin Bears,Alaska has Fishing Bears,

& they will be fishing with you also.

KS Creek Silver action with Miles,on net

Fresh Silver or Coho,from the Naknek

Greg with a Red Coho

Getting Red Coho Buck

The Eck with some Fresh Silver from The Naknek

NRC Camp is right over my left shoulder

Jay with a Naknek Bow

Alaskan Rainbow ala Bead

Greg with a Brooks Bow

Baby Eck with a Naknek Bow

Artic Char,can be found behind pods of Sockeye,

beads are very effictive for matching the Egg Hatch

Artic Char head shot

Last day Silver,That a boy Dave !

One will seee this many times a day in Bristol Bay's

smaller tribs,look for the Grey Shadows behind the

Sockeye,there you will find the Char & Rainbows,

sucking down eggs.

More reds on the Redd

Dave with a nice Sockeye Salmon

Sockeye or Red from Upper Brooks

until our Return............

Jb JAG Fly Co

Spring Things

2011-05-11T18:56:00.000-07:00

PA Mountian Wildflower

On-ward trough the fog,AM low fog

Bald Eagle Valley AM Fog,veiw from Rattlesnake Mt

Wildflowers

morning roadside strut

Brookies & Youngsters

2011-04-24T17:58:00.000-07:00

Small Sream Brookies on the Fly

A look downstream from Camp

Look At this one !

Gotta love them Brookies

Can you take it off the hook for me ?

Get the NET !

Instruction Time

Sweet Fish !

Happy Fishmen !

See Ya on The Water,joelB

Conneaut & Steelhead 004

2011-04-12T20:44:00.000-07:00

Orange Eggs & Spam 4/2-3/11 "The Dropsies"

2011-04-03T18:46:00.001-07:00

Fooled by an orange Skein Fly,sunday Morning I'm sure most of you have read or heard of the Dr Seuss classic,Green Eggs & spam.......well this is my version,Orange Eggs & Spam,as Orange Eggs where the only fly I could get hooked up with most of the weekend,but fun as had by all. Charlie with aome PA Steel The fish won the war,but we had a few victorious battles,to our credit. I fished with a couple of Good Eggs,from Toledo,this weekend,who in short order are quickley becoming Steelhead addicts. Manastee with some broad shoulders The water in NW/PA & NE/OH,still seems to be a little cold & hopefully the over the next few weeks conditions will improve.The waters had a nice ting with a good flow,warming tempatures will should help the fishing improve. Ready to Swim

Nate's first tast of Steel

The Camera's Eye

Nate & Tim admiring the catch of the day

Nates 1st Steel,a photo of a photo

A good fight was had,a victory for me !

See ya on the water.............JoelB

Erie Steelhead VS Alaskan Rainbows 2010

2011-02-25T22:30:00.000-08:00

Tim with a good buck Erie Steel 11/2110

With prime Steelhead fishing,just around the corner,my thoughts,drift back to
this past fall & late summer,and a question's that have haunted me for the past few years now. Alaskan Rainbows verses Lake Erie Steelhead,which is the
superior fish ?

Erie Steel ala Jay,right out his front door 11/2110

With my first trip to Alaska,in August 2009,I left The Naknek River Camp with
an education,on the native & very wild "Bows of Bristol Bay ! Being a fairly avid
Erie Steelheader,making the 2 & 1/2 hour drive Mup-Erie,for over 10 years,
I headed to Alaska with Fresh Silver & Sockeye on my mind.

Post Thanksgiving Erie Steel 11/2010

Cole & Denver,early October,Erie Steel 10/2110

My first day on The Naknek River,in August of 2009,left me with a whole new

respect for Wild fish,as we caught & fought,a good number of Bows,right at the

boat dock,on small flesh flies,egg patterns & beads. These hearty Native Bows are hearty bread no doubt about it. The 14'' to 20" fish we caught by the dock

fought like Erie's 24'',Steelhead . I didn't pay much more attention to the rainbows,the rest of my trip in 2009,as I was completely enthralled with the

Coho's & Sockeye,but I had a much different attitude,in 2010,I was going to go

"Big Bow Hunting" & we hit "The Egg Drop",just right our last day in camp.

Tom had us on the fish & we boated 7 Rainbows from 24" to 29",lost maybe 10

more of that size & a few bigger ones.........my mind was made up,no doubt.

Kurt with 32" of Naknek Rainbow 8/2010

Alaskan Bows,nothing like them,IMHO,last day on The Naknek

River,The Naknek River Camp,our host lodge is in the background,

you can fish right out the front door !

Jay with a good Naknek Bow 8/2110

Tim & a Trophy,late September Steelhead 2010

Don't take me wrong,I am a very very happy camper with our Erie Steelhead,and glad we have them now & far into the future,but The Wild Alaskan Bows,got a hold on me..........on another note,we also found out that

Fresh from the Salt Coho's/Silvers,are quite a bit feistier than their Great Lakes

cousins also.

More Erie Steel,early October 2010

Jay with some early season Steel,September 2010

29" of Alaskan Rainbow,on the Naknek,another one of

my last day on the Naknek River,fishing "The Egg Drop"

Jack with a Brooks River Bow 8/2010

Brooks River Rainbows are NO pushover,the will challenge anyone !

Elk Creek Ice 2011

2011-01-13T19:32:00.000-08:00

Up Stream Elk Creek Acess

The Mud Hole " Ice Up"

Whitemans Bridge,downstream veiw

Girard Boro Park

Whitemans Bridge,upstream

Boat Launch @ Elk Creek access

Post Thanks-Giving 2010

2010-12-01T20:34:00.001-08:00

Jason with a nice Buck,on Pa Deer opener

Sweet Cheeks ! Fooled by an Early-Girl Skein Fly

Post Thanksgiving fishing,I thought the fishing would be better,with the recent

Thanksgiving rains,& a small dose of snow,to the Erie tribs,but Saturday AM found us in good colored water,but with a slightly heavy flow....and BURRR,was it cold ! The fishing improved as the week-end went by,with Sunday & Monday's conditions improving,daily. Productive flies where Skeinflies,Wiggle-Stones,PT, Real Polish Nymphs & Minnow patterns.

Jason hauling another one in

Meet 3 good-fellows from Chicago,good bunch of guys,who share the passion,as many of us for Steel,they fish PA or Michigan weekley,we swaped flies & stories
and they indroduced me to alot of the Real Poland,histroy,flies,food & Tyskie,a very good polish beer..........Nostrovia !

Helios Assult on Elk Creek Pre Thanksgving

2010-11-22T03:34:00.000-08:00

Tim aka Da Fish Dog,with a good Buck

The Dailey Double in The Net 11/19/10

First catch of the day for me,just a baby !

Having played in Rock & Contemporary Christian Bands much of my life,I have a pretty good idea about good gear & equipment. Having average gear,and being an average musician,will keep you pretty much average,but get yourself some top of the line gear,and your averages goes up a few notches. I learned this lesson about life & music,playing in traveling bands in the 70's & 80's,in Bars,Frat Parties,Churches,Weddings & too many many other dives to numerous to mention. Well where fishin now,as my 63 Fender Precision Bass,gather a little dust ! I recently made a major upgrade (for me) with a recent purchase of one of Orvis Helios rods,and let me tell you one thing,it is one Sweet Stick !

One of my victims,in the net

29 " of Erie Steel,on 11/21/10

The Youngs (father & son) with a nice pair,a trophy

Steelhead & Trophy Brown,caught Friday,while fishing

with my friends Greg & Tim,on Friday 11/19

" The Daily Double"

Tim likes to knot & de-knot

My 7wt,10' Helios,teamed up with a recently purchased Mirage reel,worked very well for me,as I had a good # of Hook-ups,that gave my new rig a good workout. I had heard it would be like learning to fish all over again,when fishing the The Helios,I found that untrue,but the way it cast & the ability I could pick up the most supple of takes,was awesome !

One more time,fooled with an Iced Pheasant Tail

The steel was eatin nymphs,in a BIG way on Sunday

This Manistee,fell victim to a SA Stone/Black

So if your looking to upgrade on your Steelheadin gear,give The Orvis Helios

a try...........I think you'll like it. more to come later ! Post-Thanksgiving Post

Mirage on Erie October 2010

2010-10-25T18:51:00.000-07:00

Steelhead Warriors : The Mirage (L) Batenkill (R)

A decent Buck,the first on my Mirage,a good start !

A Winter Stone fooled this one

Tim with a nice Elk Crick Steelie

L to R Big Moe,Lil' BigMoe(Hooked Up)& Tim-Moe

Victim # 1 of the Mirage IV,fell victim to a #14 Olive PT

Mirage IV,river tesing 10/23/10,by 10:oo am,she was

slighty used,and working fine ! ! ! ! !

Buck # 2,was fooled by an Early-Girl Skein fly

Tim workin one up stream from me

Hen # 1,taken on Jay's Skein Fly,Color Early Girl

XXXXXXXXXXX #2

Fish # 1 on my Mirage,a decent Buck aka The Cherry Buck

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EARLY Steelhead 2010

2010-09-20T18:48:00.001-07:00

MupErie's beware Cole & Denver New Steelheaders on The Tribs

Denver & Cole @ Trout Run

" A Big Un'' ala Fish Dog

Tim with another Freshy

Silver Sides !

Jason with some Chrome

I got Luckey too

Alaska Salmon 2010 Part 23

2010-09-13T03:19:00.000-07:00

Fresh Silver in The Naknek ! !

Moe Silvers @ Coho Bend

Sockeye on the spawn @ Brooks

Irving with a Male Pink,the first of many !

Another one bites the dust

Frosty Jack strikes Silver

Irving with some Margot RED aka Sockeye

Female Pink on the Naknek

Silver fishing on "The Bend"

Sockeye Graveyard

Alvin's,underwater RED

Chris & Kurt with a pair of Buck Pink's

Brooks Sockeye

Silvers @ the front door of Camp

Mark with some Naknek Silver

Sockeye release on the Naknek

We found Silver on The Naknek

Mark with a Brooks Red

Alaska's Bristol Bay Rianbows & Char 2010 Fishing the Egg Drop

2010-09-02T03:24:00.000-07:00

Kurt with a Beautiful 32" Naknek Bow

You wanna catch Big Alaskan Rainbows,& more Char than you can keep track
of,well try a trip to Bristol Bay Alaska's naknek River Camp. 19 battle ready anglers,from PA,Virgina,New Jersey & Tennesse made the journey,for SAO's
annual journey to Naknek River Camp,in Bristol Bay,the 3rd week of August
2010. The Egg-drop,the annual Sockeye egg laying,was in full swing on the smaller trips we fished,upon are arrival & the Naknek River egg-drp,started in
a BIG way,towards the end of our stay. A good # of Big Alaskan Rainbows,24'' to 32",fell victim to our egg immitaions,the last 3 days in camp.

Egg Drop Naknek River Bow

Naknek River "Some-where Over the Rainbow,

Your not in Kansas any more !

Some of the Northern Virgina Gang @ Brooks Falls

Brooks River & Margot Creek,provided us with pleanty of Rainbow & Char action,as we fished behind the Red Spawning Sockeye,on the egg-drop . Just look for the Grey,behind the Red,to find the feeding Bows & Char,on the smaller tribs.This is sight fishing & the fish can be pickey at times.

Bald Eagle on Margot

Kurt with a good Char

James with a nice Brooks River Rainbow

Alex,Char & Papa Bear ?

Mark with Char

Frosty Jack & Brooks Bow

Jack & Bob on Margot.another Char

Byron with a Margot Char

Irving with a Margot Char

Senic Veiw : Margot Char & myself

SAO's Jason with one of The Naknek BIG Bows

One of my last fish of our trip,out the front door

of Naknek River Camp

Kurt & Big Bow 32" of Bristol Bay Rainbow

James with a nice Brooks Rainbow

Miles & James our guides @ Brooks

James with Jack & Dolly

Alaska 2010 Part 1

2010-08-29T21:28:00.001-07:00

Swimming Bears in Margot

Margot Dolly

Alaska,on the Naknek River,livin the dream ! I got in to camp early,but not in time to get on the water on Thursday 8/19,due to flight delays due to fog in King Salmon......I just took in the clean fresh air & rigged my gear for a Friday morning assult on The Naknek. Friday morning found me swing flies to my good old freinds on Silver Bend,as guide Alvin,but me on the fish.Alex was new

to The Naknek this year,but he new wear & how to get me on the fish !

Female Pink on the Naknek,my first of the trip !

I was supprised to see the Naknek,quite a bit higher than last year,so I knew fishing would be a little different than last years trip,Tip # 1,listen to your guide.

Being a bit stubren,I began my fishing with what I thought would work,2 drifts

& nothing......nada nada thing,I then took the advice of Alex,and put on some Pink & wolla fish on ! ! ! A nice female pink,was to the net.

I then began throwing my MOAL Leeches,Black/Blue & Black/Pink,the Pinks seemed to like,any thing Pink,the Silvers where liking the Black/Blue.

Silver Bend Coho,on the Swing aka MOAL Leach
My first Silver of the trip........... Thanks Alex !

Silver Galore !

Male Pink Salmon on the swing

On Saturday I helped Jim,shuttle some of the guest,from the airport to camp.

The early arrivals where anxious to get on the water,so I begain to shuttle them

up to the boat ramp to begin there fishing after lunch. First time Fly-Fisher Irving Fryar was the first to strike Pink,after about 20 minuets of mending lessons..........he was quick on the feild & quicker to "Get The Drift"

Byron & Irving @ Lake Camp Launch arrival day 2010

Irving Fryar,with his first fly caught salmon

Sunday again found me on the Naknek,fishing with Guide Carl,Bill,Jack & my new cocktail buddy John (story to follow) LOL ! The high water made things a bit difficult at first,but Carl soon had us dailed in. We landed some Pinks,Char,Grayling & a good # of Jack Kings 16'' to 20",we landed a buch of fish,but the Silvers where being difficult. By the end of the day we did mange a few as we fished our way back up river to Silver Bend,we found Silver !

Bill Shabb,hooked up @ King Island

Carl one of the NRC,guides ready with the net

King Island on The Naknek

Coho Bend Silver on the swing > Purple Wolly Buggers

Monday Found me on Brooks River,such a wonderful place. After our manditory Bear School,we begain our hike up river to the falls,where we where

soon greated by one of the Brooks River locals,mr Brown Bear. James & Miles had us on the fish quickly,asa we began to try to fool those wary Brooks Rainbows,of the lower River. I fished with Chris,Kurt,John & my old buddies,

Jim & Jack. Most of us where into plenty of Sockeye action,from the start,as many of them where brought to the net. I begain to target the Bows,and was having a bit of a time fooling them,missing them at first & then having them refuse my offerings. I looked out the corner of my eye saw Rocking Chair Jack,slipping away from the group,and I knew what he was up to..........he was on the hunt for rainbows,and I followed.We fished the braids and took turns throwing to a good # of bows I found in one of the braids,and they where on the feed bag ! Let-go of my Eggo

Brown Bear on Brooks River

Sockeye @ Brooks River

Brooks Sockeye

Rainbow Warrior, Jack hunting Rainbows @ Brooks

Jack McCallister with a good Brooks River Bow

After our lunch break,John & I decide to have a few cocktails @ Brooks Lodge as our fishing time was on the short side,after a few cocktails with my new foud freind,John,we where on our way back to camp.

Sunrise @ Naknek River Camp 8/24

My rack @ camp,The Griz Tent

Tuesday found me on Margot Creek,fishing for very hungrey Dolly Varden,i fished with guide Bob,Jack & my new found freind John,no cocktails today,as we where on a Char Hunt,and catch them we did. We had to share our water with a good # of Bears,but the Griz was on the hunt for Sockey,had they where having good luck also.

Mr Brown Bear hunting lunch

Jack Surash with Margot Char with Bob

Bald Eagle on Margot

Margot Char ,ala Bead

Another Margot Char

Trout Travlers,The Sulphers are Coming !

2010-05-17T17:35:00.001-07:00

Tim with a nice Brownie from Spring Creek
First fish of the day & first on Tims new
Orvis Combo,a great way to start the day !

Well the weather was right,and the fishing
was good,which made for a good weekend in Central PA.
A couple of my Erie freinds,Tim & Dan,made the trip
down to Central PA,from Erie,to fish Spring Creek with me.
After a quick thruck-stop breakfast we headed for
Spring Creek,to try our luck.The crowds where fairly heavy,
but that is not a big suprise to me,as the Sulphers are
starting there heavy hatch on SC. We where fordunate to get
a few good runs,locked up before the heavy crowds began to
show up,and got to land a handful of 14" to 16" Browns,along
with more of there smaller brothers & sisters,but the Bows
eluded us on SC.
Fish where taking Phesant Tails & Sulpher Emergers from
mid morning into mid afternoon,when we took a short break,
for lunch & change streams.
We found an open run on Bald Eagle,that was loaded with hungrey
Bows,to finish off our day,on a good note !
Tim & Dan headed Mup-Erie,about 5:00PM,and I could not help
not to rib them about there ride home......as travlers for trout.

Dan T. aka "The Mexican"with a SC Brown

Central PA Soltitude

JB with one of The SC Browns

Wild Brown from SC

Slippery When Wet !

Bald Eagle Rainbow

Spring Creek Brown

Easter Steel 2010

2010-04-05T19:53:00.000-07:00

Easter Steelhead......seemed like everybody had Steel
on their minds on Good Friday as the crowds where heavy,
but so was the Steel.I fished the weekend with,artist,
author & Friend Flick F,from updtate NY.
Fishing seemed to get a little tuffer as the day'a &
weekend went on,with water clearing & dropping daily.
Mornings brought the best bite,and the most fish landed
for us,on each outting,of our 3 day trip.

Flick with his Easter-Egg Hen / Easter Suday,
last fish of the trip.

What is this here ?
We had quite a few fish head for
the under cut bank in this run.

>>

Flick Hooked up again

Skanky Buck

Thanksgivin Steel 2010,it was an Egg Bite

2009-12-01T03:31:00.000-08:00

Ty & Tim with a good one on a Skein Fly

I got to try out my new gear,everything worked fine !

This Steel fell victim to a Wiggle Stone

Steve-O had a good day,fooled by a PT(he liked the fish mitts !)

Dave Boo B,with another one on a Skein-Fly

Big Moe & O-Moe in Action

Elk-Horn Switch Rod & Henny Penny Steel,another victim of the Skein-Fly

Fall Steelheading,Crisp Mornings & Beauitful Colors

2009-10-28T21:42:00.001-07:00

Fall Morning Fight > photo by John Miller

Fall Steelheading : the crisp cool dawn,gave way to the mornings
warming sun,the colors where spectacular the fish where co-operative,
at least for awhile,until the leaves & raising waters shut us down :(
Spent some time on the water with John Miller & got to watch him work
magic on the fish,as well as with the camera ! I've always found it
quite intresting to watch an artist at work "The Camera's Eye"
Mid-way steelhead calling try your luck with me,Chromers singing
the same old melody,a thousand 10 cent wonders,who could ask for more ?
A pocket full of silver,the key to heavans door,Steelhead Streams,
willos in the breeze,Steelhead Streams,so many memories.

One for the Net > photo by John Miller

10/11/09 Steelheads "The Steelhead Cherry"

2009-10-13T03:24:00.000-07:00

Cody got his first tast of Steel this weekend

Tim H.,yelling "Get The Net Again !"

Boo's Chrome

Taking a break from the action on Elk

What hat should I wear ?

Lil' Broun Trout swimming with Steel

Steelhead Circle @ Trout Run

Let The Games Begin ! Steelhead Fall 09

2009-10-05T20:19:00.000-07:00

Jason with some Fresh Sunday Steel

Steelhead Season Fall 09,is offically on !
The recent rains brought a push of fish to most of the Alley Tribs.
I spent most of Saturday,scouting the tribs,visiting The Fly Shops,
restocking,my materials,and gathering information,on when where &
how,I would begin,my season opener.I did'nt even get my boots on as
I was content to scout for my opening day on Sunday,10/4/09.
Elk & Walnut Creeks,had a good deal of fisherman on them both,so I
just watched and listened to the fish stories.
Walnut was fishing fair at the access,upon my arrival late Saturday
AM,and I witnessed a fair # of fish being hooked & landed.
Next I stopped at Trout Run,to see the progress being made there.
I saw quite a few of "The Baby Browins"swiming with the Steel,&
the addition of Brownies to the PA Great Lakes Fishery will be
welcomed by many !

Fresh Chromer "Head Shot"

The fishing on Elk was much slower,than Walnut,as the mud stained
waters & strong flow on Saturday,limited many success,but there where
some fish being caught. By late Saturday afternoon,I had narrowed down
the place I would fish to 2 areas,as darkness fell I,found myself listening
to the live entertainment being provide by the outside,under the pavlion
Hoe-Down @ The Girard Legion Post,just above The Legion Hole.
It was a good mix for me,good live music,for my ears,while serching for fish.

Jason's New Minnow pattern was working well

Skein Fly by J fooled this Steel

Sunday morning found me on the water,as it was just getting daylight.
I was soon rewarded just after,with my first hook-up of the year.
The fish where taking a liking to my offering's of Wiggle Stones.
The Steelies where jus full of fight,fresh,dime bright,leaping,drag
singing runs,where the rule of the day,as I had action all morning.
The fish seemed to turn on & off all morning,and a switch of patterns
was all that was needed to get them on the bight again.
All kidding aside,I breifly thought i was in Alaska,Coho fishing again,
as the jumping steel,trough my flies or got my line on some of the sharp
edged shale as the pulled the line off my reel,in there mad dash for
freedom upstream,after inhaling my minnow patterns or nymphs.
Productive patterns for me early in the day where,Wiggle Stones,in
Peacock & Blue in nymphs & Ice Man Minnow's,Bob's Minnow & Pod's Minnow.

Another one on the fly for J

J Puttin the Side Pressure to em'

By mid morning things seemed to be slowing down a bit,so I put on a strike
indicator & skein flies,and Day 1 round 2 of my Steelhead opener had begun.
The fished seemed to favor the Skein Flies,as most fish prefered the "Egg"
over the minnow,in my tandem rig.under "da Float",my 2nd half of the morning.

Elk Creek "The Mud Hole"

Elk Creek above The EC Acess

I hooked up with Jason,in the afternoon,as we put on ou hikin' boots & coverd
some water,we found some more bitters as we hit and ran a few miles of water.

Trolling for Steelies off Trout Run

Construction @ Trout Run

Little Brown Trout @ Trout Run

Lower Walnut

10/3/09 "The Nut"

Cenral PA Trout & The Crosseyed Alaskan Angler

2009-09-27T19:36:00.000-07:00

Last week-end,Tim H. & I hit the waters of Spring Creek in Central PA.
The fishing conditions where less than ideal,low & clear,as even the
spring feed Limestoners of Central PA,where in need of some rain. As
PSU,battled Temple,at Bever Stadium,just a few miles away,we hit the
beautiful waters of Spring Creek to throw some bugs.We did not have a
banner day by any means,but we where lucky enough to land a few on #18,
Olive Scuds,# 20 Zebra Midge Nymphs,& a #14 Adams Paracute,fished sligtly
under the water.Tim picked up on the Adams,under the film style,and quickly
brought a handful of brwnies & a nice bow to the net before dark,as I stuck
with fishing the small scuds & nymphs.It was a good day to be on the water
with good company !

Underwater Brown Trout Release

Spring Creek Brown,got fooled by a #14 Paracute Adams

Another Brown Trout relese on Spring Creek

Recently I got some more pics from a few of my freinds,whom I had the privalege
to shar the waters of Alaska with,old freinds & new freinds.

Who's afraid of the big bad bear,not Jack !

"Our Gang" on Brooks River

Jim C. with A Naknek Bow

Joe-E the Cross Eyed Alaskan Angler

I would have neve made this post,but was eggbrailed on by friends.
I've know Joe,for many years,and have shared quite a few fishng adventures with him.
This is all in jest & humor,as I really had never moticed,until joe,himself brought it to may attention,his sunglasses are on a TILT,to the left in every picture....LOL!
Hence the Crossed Anglaer Tag. At this point I'm not sure if his sunglasses are cockeyed,or one of his ears is lower than the other........Like me ?
The following pictures are from Joe's collection,of our Alaskan Adventure

Looking Down River on upper Brooks River

Float Plane @ Brooks Camp

Looking down stream from the Bear Viewing Platform @ Brooks Falls

Brooks Sockeye

Another Brown Bear looking for dinner

CEJ with a King Salmon Creek Hen Hoho

CEJ with a nice KSC Cohoe Buck

CEJ with a self portrate with Mr Griz,looking on

CEJ @ Margot Char

CEJ with a Brooks Sockeye

CEJ @ HD Anchorage

May this is what made him crosseyed ?

Alaska > King Salmon Creek to Home

2009-09-03T17:58:00.001-07:00

The Four Amigoes,on King Salmon Creek,Dave,myself,Joe & Jay,all fish where hooked,landed,photographed,released to fight another day,in a matter of 10 minuets,our guides Miles and Cris earned their pay,on this day,and a fine
job they did !

There is only one thing I can think of bad about Alsaka,leaving,unfordunatly something many of us have to do. What a place,to visit & fish,& there is no doubt
in my mind that this is truley "Gods Country",and I do truley belive I have been blessed,to have had the oppertunity to visit & fish there. If you like to fish or
just enjoy the Great Outdoors,a visit to Alaska,should be in your plans.My memories of this fine visit,have been etched in my memory forever,the lesssons learned,new technices,and methods,new fly patterns,bead fishing,new species caught,The Bear experiences"Fishing with The Griz",are memories that seem almost sureal.
I Thank the Johnsons,@ Naknek River Camp,Phyllis,Jim,James,Tana,& Hunter,along with guides,John,Miles,Jacob & Chris,and the rest of there staff,for the very fine accomadations,meals,direction,freinship & fishing that they provided us with !
As General McAuther once said "I shalll return" as will I,to The Naknek River Camp.

A Zip Lined KSC Cohoe,after discovering Zip Lining on the bigger waters of the Naknek
River,the previous 2 days,and having very good sucess,I began my first day on KSC fishing the Zip line again,I caught fish,but fishing by Dave and watching him "Kick My Butt" all morning,I took Dave lead,and switched to a floating line,and my hook-ups
tripled........"That-A-Boy,Dave!"as the Lennox TV Commercial used to say !

Dave with a beuatful KSC Cohoe,with guides Miles & Chris,Dave literly put on a 2 day clinc,on KSC,fishing a floating line with PT's & Wolly Buggers,he was hooked up all the time !

KSC Cohoe,fishing floating lines"Erie Style",with Ice Buggers & PT's was the ticket !

Dave finds some more Silver,with the help of our guide Chris.

Dave putting the SMACK,on another KSC Cohoe

Dave with the LOOK !,after losing his last PT,the last day,his PT's and Wolly Buggers
produced very good for him,our 2 days on KSC

King Salmon Creek Cohoe Action !

Dave with a nice last day Cohoe,Miles was our Guide,Great job Miles !

KSC Cohoe,last day

Joe battleing another last Day Cohoe,as Dave & Jay worked a pod upstream from us,Joe & myself took turns working a large pod of fish in the tailout,where the more active fish where holding,it was non-stop action for 90 minutes. We worked Miles our Guide hard as he ran from Jay & Dave upstream of us,and would hustle back down to my screams of "Get The Net,Get The Net" !

KSC CoHoe,last day colored up male

Griz Tracks along KSC,on our 3 mile hike along KSC,not only where the occsional homes sighted,but many Griz & Wolf tracks,where also seen,probally not the best place for some night fishing !

Wolf Tracks along KSC

Dave's last HoeHoe of the trip,I got to preform net duties !

Dave was "Net Boy" for my last fish of the trip "that a boy Dave"

Jay picking Cranberry's on the Tundra,What for ?,when we had so many fish to chase ?

The Result ! Phyllis's homemade,Cranberry/Blueberry/CC muffins for Breakfast !

Naknek River Camp ,Group Photo,last day in Camp

The Trapper Cabin,my home on The Naknek River

King Salmon Airport,@ tired Anglers,Dave & Joe,awaiting the ride out to civilazation

Me & "Griz",fishing with Griz in Alaska is a Great experience !
@ the Anchorage Airport

Beluga Point on the Seward Highway,South of Anchorage

Alaska Margot Creek & Coho Bend

2009-08-31T21:01:00.000-07:00

Sunrise @ Naknek River Camp
A beauitful start to an amazing day

We had a beautiful Alaskan sunrise,after a hearty Naknek River Camp
breakfast,Greg,Dave,John,Craig,Randy,Joe & myself loaded up the boat
with guides James & John,for the 1 hour boat ride to Margot Creek.
The boat was full of fishing chatter,as we waited with anticipation,
as we where well aware what awaited us @ Margot Creek.............
Artic Char,Alaskan Bows,Sockeye Salmon and "The Griz"
As it turned out our only compatition for the day was "The Griz",
as we encountered a good #,on our 3 mile hike up & back down Margot.
The Griz was there for the Sockeye,but we where more intrested in
the Big Rainbows & Dolly Varden/Artic Char that take up residence
in Margot for the Sockeye Egg drop.
We fished 6mm Beads to "Match the Hatch"so to say of the Sockeye
egg drop.Those poor Sockeye......evrey body hunting them in one
way or another,The Griz wanted to eat them,and the Char & Rainbows
where feasting on there eggs,and we sure did'nt mind catching a few
either.I hope to return to "The Bowling Alley Run" on Margot Creek
soon,though I never asked James why the call that run,The Bowling Alley,
I just gotta use my imagination,rolling 6mm beads(bowling balls)down the
run( The Bowling Lane)cathing fish(knocking down pins) ?

A special thanks to Phyllis,Jim & all the Staff @ Naknek River Camp !
For the wonderful time,fishing,accomadations & meals !

My Margot Creek "Bowling Alley" Artic Char

The Boat Ride to Margot Creek

Craig with a Margot Dolly

Another Close Encounter with the Griz

Lined up on Margot's "Bowling Alley Run"for Dolly Varden

Mr Brown Bear was fishin Margot too !

A pod of Reds in Margot

We where not alone on Margot Creek

John with a Margot Red

Joe with a good Margot Dolly Varden

Margot Sockeye

Walking out of Margot Creek,Mr Griz,looking to fish

The day after our Margot Creek adventure,we went chasing Silver's
and found them late afternoon @ Coho Bend.Our Guide Miles,
spotted a pod of Silvers,and we landed the boat below them,and
walked up-river to fish for them. Miles had suggested I try using
a Zip-Line,for them so I borrowed his rig and went on the hunt.
I had never fished a Zip-Line,but found it to be a very effective
way to fish the bigger waters of the Naknek.Thanks for the tip &
coaching, Miles !
The next morning Dave,Joe & myself,where assigned Jacob as our guide
for the day,and we headed back to Coho Bend,for Silvers.We motored
down the river and Jacob spotted our quarry,and to our delight there
where more fish there than the end of the previous day.
Again we landed below the pod,and walked upstream to begin fishing.
Dave & Joe,hurried upstream,but i laged behind to have Jacob set me
up to run a Zip-line on my own gear.I was hooked on Zipping from the
previous day,purchased a Zip Line,took a sinking line off an extra
spoll,and asked Jacob to set me up,and I would not bother him the rest
of the day........sorry Jacob,you still had to net the fish.....LOL ! !
We had a bluebird day,so fishing becane a little slow,at first,but
heated up quickly as the fish turend on,or we found the right offering.
My best luck on this bluebird day was a Coho Blue pattern # 8,but Black
Olive & Purple Ice Buggers,size # 8,where also very effictive.
By mid afternoon,Miles who had Randy & Craig with him,pulled in to fish
with us,as fresh Silvers had been moving in all day,we gladly shared the
Coho Bend waters with them..........there was simply to much water & to
many fish for Dave,Joe & myself to cover.We had many multiple hook ups,
talk about Coho's gone wild ! This was it ! Dave & I did the Coho Dance,
as we where both hooked up at the same time more than once,Dave graciously
let me slide underneath him 2 times as we fought and landed fish.

My Coho Blue Sparse Hair Wing pattern,Struck Silver
a few times on this Bluebird day @ Coho Bend

Fresh Silver @ Coho Bend

Guide Jacob & me @ Coho Bend

Guide Miles with a Coho Bend,HoHoe

Coho Bend on the Naknek

Alaska > Arrival & Brooks River

2009-08-31T05:29:00.000-07:00

Bear School @ Brooks River Camp

Our Destenation,Bristol Bay

Alaska is simply AWESOME !
No doubt a fishermans dream.
Got to the Naknek River Camp,late morning on 8/22/09.
After getting settled,we did some fishing right out the
front door of our cabins,we caught a bunch of Rainbow's
some Sockeye & Coho Salmon,before & after supper..........
Sorry no pics,of day 1,I was to excited about fishing,
and left the camera in my cabin.
Day 2 we headed of to Brooks River Camp,and after going
to Bear School,we hiked up to the Brooks River head waters
to start our fishing,we saw 3 bears before we even wet a line.
Needless to say,we where not the only ones fishing on Sunday.
We saw over 20 Brown Bears,before,during and after our 6 hour
visit to Brooks River Camp,and the NPS Rangers told us,that
there not alot of Bear activity there at this time of year ?
Pods of Red / Sockeye Salmon,where to be found in every pool
and peice of pocket water,with hungrey Alaskan Rainbow's
awaiting,there egg drop.I spent my day @ Brooks chasing
Sockeye's,as I had never fished for them before.
Black & Olive Wooly Buggers along with 6mm beads,brought
many fish to the net this fine day !

Headwateers of Brooks River
Our first encounter @ Brooks River
Mr Brown Bear would be fishing today also

Pod's of Sockeye,in every
pool & pocket water

Jim & Dave fishing Brooks

Slippery when wet !

Our Gang @ Brooks River
Andy,Jay,Jim & jack(standing)
Joe & myself (front)

On the Anchorage tarmac
Jay W.,JoeL B.,Jim C.,Joe E.

Dave & Diver @ MaCaffee's Fly Shop

Joe with a hearty Raindeer Sausage Breakfast

Anchorage brakfast stop

Brooks River Sockeye

Brooks Falls
our last stop of the day

Alaskan Adventure .......Goin Fishin 8/20

2009-08-18T02:06:00.000-07:00

Souvenir Hat

More Details......coming soon !

Big Fish ! Memories

2009-08-06T20:01:00.000-07:00

Joe's NY Brown

Big Fish......Something we all seek. On my fishing adventures,I'm usally not
the one that catches "the BIG fish",but I've been the camera's eye a more
than a few times,or as they say I took the picture of the big fish.
My fishing adventures have taken me,from my home waters of Central PA,
All of the Great Lake States,& Ontario,to the White River in Arkansas,but
the Great Lakes fishery is simply "Big Water = Big Fish".
These photo memories,our my best of trip pics,or my Camera's big fish,of my
fishing compadres,most aren't State or Province records,but "Big Fish"none
the less............Hopfully my upcoming Alaskan Adventure,will include a
few more "Big Fish" memories.

Steve's Ohio Pig

Tim's Elk Creek Hog

The Guitar Man,Elk Creek Steel

Ontario King,Greg with an AM workout on the Garden

Michigan King ala Roe

Ontario King ala Roe

Mark Balley PA Steelhead

My Dad's Biggest Steelhead

Ohio Steelhesd ala Roe

Merlin,my Dad with a French River 'Eye'

Big NY Brownie head Shot,ala Eck

Winter-time Spring Creek Rainbow ala Roe

The Fin & Feather Collector > Joel ala Roe

Trout About > Central PA

2009-08-04T05:21:00.000-07:00

Penns Creek,Coburn,PA

2009 Trout-A-Bout,Central Pennsylvina Style !
We are blessed with the many beuatful Limestone Creeks here in Cental PA.
The spring feed creeks of Central PA offer,abundant bug life,constant
water tempatures,and usally have a good flow.Spring Creek,Bald Eagle Creek & Penns Creek,are all within an hours drive of my home,thats not to mention the wonderful mountian Freestoners that hold good numbers of trout also,such as Six mile Run & Black Moshannon Creek.The Little Juniata & Big Fishing Creek are also only a short jaunt away.

Greg with a good Spring Creek brown

Nicley Colored Butter Belly

Spinner Fall Brown

A Mini Wiggle Stone fooled this Bow

Plentafull Brownies

Abundant Central PA Bug Life & some Imatations

Net Boy Here !

Evreybody Smile for the Camera's !

Gerard with an Early Season Sixy Bow

Early Season SMR Browny

Bald Eagle Bow

Six Mile Run in the Mountians

Joel B "Fin & Feather Collector"

Alaskan Adventure.....Coming Soon ! ! !

2009-08-03T18:16:00.000-07:00

My Bugger Beast,ready for action

Our Alaskan Adventure is soon to begain.......on August 20th,off to Alaska to fish the Bristol Bay Area,with a group of freinds.I've been fillin my boxes, as time permits,and I'm running out of time & space.
We will have the opertunity to catch,Silver & Sockeye Salmon,along with Alaskan Bows,Dolly Varden,Grayling,and maybe even some left over Chum & king Salmon.
This will be my trip of trips.at least as far as fishing goes.........I'll be back
with details & pics in a few short weeks !

A Box of Articulating Flies 4" to 5",Sculpins,String Leeches,
String-O-Flesh & Dolly Llammas

Doll_Eyed Dolly Llamma's > 4" of Articulatin Fly

Doll-Eyed Dolly Llamma,a closer look

Popsciles & Roesciles (bottom) Hareballs & Clousers (top)

Flesh & Eggs(bottom) Ice Buggers (top)

Some Sparse Sockey Flies

My Bead Kit for Alaska "Beads-N-Floats

JoelB "The Feather Collector"

Garden River Pinks & Kings

2009-08-03T15:45:00.000-07:00

Tim Da-fishslayer with "the Big King"

2008 our Garden River Home

He cathes fish & is a great cook too !,Snausage Anyone ?

I've been lucky to make 3 trips to The Garden River in Ontario,and simpley
said it is a River of Dreams. Silly #'s of Pink Salmon,and a very good #
of Kings with a few Pinhooks mixed in,are awaiting my return,.......soon.
A few pics from my Adventures on the Garden,for your viewing enjoyment.

Who says Salmon don't eat ? "Pink Salmon on the Fly"

Greg's Spey Box

Greg with a Beauitfull Garden Pinhook

Bill of Realistic Taxidermy with a nice male Pink

Jaybird AKA Fastwater with a King Salmon

A King of The Garden

A Garden River Pink Salmon

Joel B "The Fin Collector"

Spring Gobblers 2009, 1 of 5

2009-07-30T20:43:00.000-07:00

Day 4 2009,Spring Gobbler Huntin,A Turkey Party,1 of 5 was fooled by me ! by far one of my mostmemorable turkey hunts,I heard him in the tree well before fly down,got in positon on the bench above him,to my suprise at fly down,I had gobblers above me & on the bench below me,it took almost an hour to get him into range,as I found out when 5 Longbeards,carrin' 3 hens,finally came into view,as they aproched my set-up,
I mad my final adjustment,as 16 turkey eyes tried to find the elusive hen,that was
me,like a sniper,it was 1 shot 1 kill........what I dance we had ! This was the 2nd
day in this early 09 season,that 5 longbeards where in my zone,and the day was mine !

Day 4 > 1 of 5,most likley,took his final drink,from the babiling Brook in the background,the eveing before

Day 4 > Ready for the ride home,7:00 AM

Day 4 > The paint Brush

Day 4 > the Spurs

Guitar with a day two Tom,I roosted this bird the night before,he came in with 4 other longbeards,I could'nt get a shot,but my back-up was ready,not easy to let 5 Longbeards,walk rithg by ya,within shooting range,on the 2nd day of Gobbler season !

Gum Boot Hill > The Monument

Bad Moon Rising >It's Gobblein' time in the turkey woods

JoelBock "The Beard Collector"